Expressing Your Business via Imagery

That old saying of “a picture is worth a thousand words” has never been truer than it is in the Instagram age. In today’s image-obsessed world, every business owner needs to think about how they can use strong design elements to visually elevate their business.

Melissa Haywood, Head of VistaprintAustralia, says, “For entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to create a strong personality, cultivate a distinct brand identity and engage your audience. Images are an important part of building a brand, but picking the right photos can pose a consistent challenge.”

See below for Melissa’s top four ways to visually elevate your business:

Standing out from the crowd – It’s no surprise that small brands are at a disadvantage when competing against large brands for recognition and marketing. There are certain things small businesses can do, however, to ensure their market efforts are maximized through the use of effective, high-quality imagery.

Create valuable content – You don’t always have to produce the content yourself. You can hire freelance writers, graphic designers and personal assistants.

Who is your audience – Defining your audience is the first step to building a successful visual brand identity. If you don’t know exactly who you’re speaking to, you won’t know what to say.

Are you relatable –In your visual branding, you need to show off how accessible you are. Your audience needs to feel connected to you. The best way to be relatable is to be transparent. The more honest and raw you are, the more authentic you become, and the easier it is for people to identify with you.

Melissa Haywood’s career started almost 20 years ago, straight out of university, into Direct Marketing whilst also being in the print industry of a different kind. She built her career first managing databases and direct mail, followed by an expansion into a Marketing Director’s role that also managed, email, website, display marketing, search marketing and social media. Today, Melissa Haywood is now Head of Vistaprint in Australia and applying all her skills to the exciting world of customised products, helping everyday Australians grow their own businesses successfully.